Rally in Mount Vernon to restore West 4th Street park and basketball courts

Mount Vernon leaders and residents gathered Saturday to rally to demand Westchester County funding to renovate the Fourth Street Park, which is called the city's basketball hub. Legis. Lyndon Williams (D-Mount Vernon) joined the Rev. Edward Mulraine, of Unity Baptist Tabernacle and other community leaders to participate in the rally and march, which called for renovations to the basketball courts which have a history of producing NBA talent. They were part of the annual "Unity and the Community" event that focuses on issues of social justice. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Irving Jeffers, of Mount Vernon, holds a sign at a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

The Rev. Edward Mulraine, of Unity Baptist Tabernacle, speaks at a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, who is running for Westchester County executive, speaks at a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

Westchester County Board of Legislators Vice Chairman Lyndon Williams chants as he marches with others at a rally in support of the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Jaheem Dunlap, 12, of Mount Vernon, plays on the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts after a rally in support of their renovation in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Former basketball stars of Mount Vernon stand and speak with politicians and community leaders during a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Isaiah Jeffers, 3, of Mount Vernon, marches with his grandfather, Irving Jeffers, during a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, who is running for Westchester County executive, listens at a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Westchester and Mount Vernon politicians and community leaders lead residents in a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

The Rev. Darren Morton, of Macedonia Baptist Church, speaks at a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Mount Vernon's Stephan Ritter, center, stands with children during a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Westchester and Mount Vernon politicians and community leaders lead residents in a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

Passerby Richard Sylvain, of Mount Vernon, shouts to agree with chanting marchers during a rally to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Curious residents look out at marchers during a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

Westchester and Mount Vernon politicians and community leaders march with residents during a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

The Rev. Edward Mulraine, of Unity Baptist Tabernacle, speaks in front of his church during "Unity and the Community" event, after the rally and march to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

The Centennial Kings football team coach Rod Bowman grills food at the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts during a basketball tournament in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Children play basketball on the courts during a march calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

Westchester and Mount Vernon politicians and community leaders march with residents during a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

Westchester and Mount Vernon politicians and community leaders lead residents in a rally calling for County Executive Rob Astorino to free up funds to renovate the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon. (June 22, 2013)

(Credit: Xavier Mascarenas)

The New Rochelle Remington Rebels pose for a team photo before a tournament at the West Fourth Street Playground basketball courts in Mount Vernon, after a rally calling for the park's renovation. (June 22, 2013)

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